Seattle man charged for burglarizing pro athletes' homes

In early 2025, a series of burglaries targeting the homes of professional athletes in Seattle began, leading to significant thefts from prominent figures in the sports community. Earl Henderson Riley IV, a 21-year-old man, was arrested and charged with four counts of residential burglary and one count of first-degree robbery. Prosecutors allege he was the ringleader behind these crimes, which included stealing over $6,000 in luxury items from Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo's home and approximately $194,000 worth of purses and jewelry from Julio Rodriguez's residence. These criminal activities raised concerns about the safety of professional athletes, particularly given the trend of targeted burglaries across the U.S., highlighting vulnerabilities when athletes are away for road games. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office was involved in a multi-jurisdictional investigation that culminated in these charges, with bail set at $1 million for Riley, who is currently in King County Jail. As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, with potential for more charges against additional suspects involved in this organized criminal activity. The community remains vigilant as the prosecutor's office aims to ensure the safety of individuals in their homes and to make the appropriate arrests necessary to uphold accountability.